Topic– Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
3) The 10% quota for higher-caste EWSs discredits the moral foundation of the principle of social justice. Comment. (250 words)
Why this question
The recently introduced act to provide 10% reservations to the higher caste EWSs of the society has been highly criticized for its callous and highly political approach towards some of the most important economic questions of India. It is important to discuss how this policy affects India and the principle of natural justice.
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue of providing reservations to high-caste EWS of India and express our opinion as to how it does/ does not discredit the moral foundation of the idea of social justice.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the recent bill for providing reservations to higher-caste EWS of Indian society. E.g mention the criteria used for identification of the beneficiaries and mention the benefits provided directly.
Body-
- Discuss the pros and cons of the bill. E.g
- If the Court assents to the legislation and it is implemented by the government, it is expected to help the needy among the higher castes.
- In some cases, it is also expected to eliminate the desperation of those who, in the past, would resort to obtaining fake Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates that were used to seek entry into professional courses
- Centre did not give enough time for discussion on it before it was tabled in Parliament for its final approval.
- Similarly, an objection is raised about the procedure that the government adopted in order to fix the criteria for educational and economic backwardness.
- How has the government arrived at the figure of 10%, without any proper and thorough documentation by a duly constituted commission?
- Discuss how the scheme discredits the moral foundations of the principles of social justice. E.g
- Issue of fake certificates
- he 10% quota is expected to reinforce the urge among the higher castes to be a part of the reservation fraternity, along with the SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- The 10% quota is at variance with the very normative basis of the reservation policy, which was envisioned for the benefit of the SCs.
- It is needless to mention that the potential beneficiaries of the legislation would benefit from a 10% quota based purely on the economic criterion, that is, without having had to experience being subjected to the practices of untouchability, which originally served as the fundamental basis for providing the quota for the SCs etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
